Stapling machine with advancing mechanism



Oct. 25, 1966 E. A. SCHMIDT STAPLING MACHINE WITH ADVANCING MECHANISM Filed on. 22, 1964 10 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. 5% 4 JOAW/flf A omvEx j.

Oct. 25, 1966 E. A. SCHMIDT 3,281,045

10 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 5% 14. 5667 7707 BYWCP ATT RNEY$.

Oct. 25, 1966 E. A. SCHMIDT STAPLING MACHINE WITH ADVANCING MECHANISM 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 22, 1964 INVENTOR. fQ/(W A saw/W07 W5 Arr RNE Oct. 25, 1966 E. A. SCHMIDT STAPLING MACHINE WITH ADVANCING MECHANISM l0 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 22, 1964 INVENTOR. fP/(W A. Saw/0r BY W jAT RNEY$ Oct. 25, 1966 E. A. SCHMIDT 3,281,045

STAPLING MACHINE WITH ADVANCING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 22, 1964 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

f Saw/0r F o B BY AT 0RNEY3.

Oct. 25, 1966 E. A. SCHMIDT 3,281,045

STAPLING MACHINE WITH ADVANCING MECHANISM 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Oct. 22, 1964 V A ///////////j U) INVENTOR. [mm A Jaw/0r Oct. 25, 1966 E. A. SCHMIDT $281,045

STAPLING MACHINE WITH ADVANCING MECHANISM Filed 001:. 22, 1964 10 sheets-Sheet 7 IHIWK INVENTOR.

BY fi a AT ORNEKF.

Oct. 25, 1966 E. A. SCHMIDT 3,281,0 5

STAPLING MACHINE WITH ADVANGING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 22, 1964 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 IN VEN TOR.

BY ATTO NEY$.

Oct. 25, 1966 5 sc 3,281,045

STAPLING MACHINE WITH ADVANCING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 22, 1964 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 IN VEN TOR.

Awe 4 Jaw/war" B Y Oct. 25, 1966 E. A. SCHMIDT 3,281,045

STAPLING MACHINE WITH ADVANCING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 22, 1964 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 A TORNEYS.

United States Patent M 3,281,045 STAPLING MACHINE WITH ADVANCING MECHANISM Erich A. Schmidt, Lexington, Ky., assignor of one-half to Universal Button Company, Lawrenceburg, Ky., a corporation of Kentucky Filed Oct. 22, 1964, Ser. No. 405,691 19 Claims. (Cl. 22717) This invention relates to a stapling machine and more particularly to mechanism incorporated therewith for automatically applying a strip of reenforcing material to the garment part simultaneously with the attaching of spacedapart garment fastener members, such as so called trouser hooks or eyes, to garments.

It is now the customary practice to use a flap for joining together the overlapping portions of a garment such as the waistband for mens trousers and the like. The flap, which has one or more fastening elements anchored thereto, resists transverse or lateral strains exerted thereon while at the same time providing a convenient area which is inconspicious and lacking in bulk for anchoring the fastening elements.

Various machines have been used for securing hooks and eyes to the garment all of which have been unsatisfactory and difficult to use in that only a single hook or eye can be attached each time the machine is actuated by the operator. Thus, for example, when a pair of hooks or eyes, spaced a given distance apart, were to be attached to the flap of the garment, the operator was required to first position the flap relative to the first station for receiving the hook or eye, actuate the machine to attach a hook or eye, move the garment to the second station and position it there for receiving the second hook or eye, remove any wrinkles that might be present, and then attach a second hook or eye. These operations, which require considerable manual handling of the garment by the operator, are time consuming as well as subject to human error in the placing of the second hook or eye.

It is the general object of the present invention to provide an improved and simplified stapling machine for automatically attaching two anchored hooks or eyes to a garment at spaced intervals.

Another object of this invention is to provide in combination with such a stapling machine, mechanisms for automatically delivering to the attaching station a strip of reenforcing material of a predetermined length which material is the stay for a pair of spaced-apart hook or eye members attached to the garment.

A further object of this invention is to provide in combination with such a stapling machine a mechanism for automatically advancing the garment and reenforcing tape from the first station where a hook or eye has been attached to a second station where a second hook or eye is to be attached.

Still another object of this invention is to provide in combination with such a stapling machine for automatically attaching hooks or eyes at spaced intervals a mechanism for advancing the garment and reenforcing material a given distance in a wrinkle free condition.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invent-ion can be had by referring to the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompa-nying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a stapling machine showing the improved mechanism in accordance with the present invention incorporated therewith;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the machine as shown in FIG. 1 and taken along the line 2-2;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

3,281,045 Patented Oct. 25, 1966 FIG. 4 is a perspective rear view of the improved machine;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the machine partly broken away, showing the mechanism for actuating the feed-in arm for a pronged fastener element;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view, showing the pronged fastener element part, the garment part, the reenforcing strip, and the plate fastener element part;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of the waistband of a garment, showing the spaced eye members and reenforcing strip attached thereto;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary rear view of the waistband of a garment :as shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged front elevational view of the upper anvil shown in FIG. 1 with the feed arm in its protracted position;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged front elevational view of the movable and stationary .anvils, showing the former moving towards its protracted position;

FIG. 13 is a view taken along the line 1313 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a view taken along the line 14-14 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of the table advancing mechanism in the rest position;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of the table advancing mechanism in the advance position;

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of the pneumatic and electrical systems for actuating the machine of this invention;

FIG. 18 is a rear elevational view of the means for driving the reinforcing strip mechanism;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken on line 1919 of FIG. 2, showing the upper anvil in its retracted position; and

FIG. 20 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 19, showing the upper anvil moving the eye fastener element toward attaching position.

General description of the stapling machine The type of stapling machine with which the mechanism in accordance With the present invention is adapted to be incorporated is shown in my Patent No. 3,084,344, granted April 9, 1963, to which reference is made for a more complete description and operation. -In general the machine comprises a base 2, which is supported on a support block 2a secured to a table lb or the like. The base extends upwardly to provide a hollow yoke portion 3 having a cylindrical front housing portion 3a on which is mounted an air cylinder 4. A piston rod 6 mounted for vertical reciprocal movement Within air cylinder 4 carries at its lower end, an upper anvil 5 which is spring loaded so as to maintain the anvil in a retracted or rest position with the anvil 5 raised normally above the lower stationary anvil 7 positioned on the base 2, as shown in FIGS. 1-3.

There is provided a vertically extending plate member 8 which is attached, as at 9, to one side of the yoke portion 3 and extends outwardly to one side thereof. A chute 12 is fastened to one side of this plate member 8. A suitable hopper (not shown), which can be driven or rotated in a suitable manner, is mounted on plate member 8 adjacent the upper end of chute 12. The hopper delivers pronged fastener element parts E to chute 12 in a manner well known to those skilled in the art.

Adjacent the lower end of the chute 12 and at the lower edge of this plate member 8, there is mounted for substantially horizontal reciprocating movement in suitable guide and supporting plate members, a feed arm 14 having a lower outwardly extending member 14a arranged on the 3 end thereof which has preferably an inclined hook-shaped portion on the extreme end. There is arranged with this lower outwardly extending member 14', an upper resilient member 16 having its outer end bifurcated.

As more clearly shown in FIGS. 11-13 of the drawings, there is carried by the lower outwardly extending transfer member 14a, inwardly of the inclined hook portion 15 thereof, preferably a rivet member 18, so as to provide a beveled head portion 19 which is positioned centrally of the transfer member 14a and disposed in the space, between this lower member and the bifurcated end portion of the upper member 16.

There is also arranged adjacent the lower end of the chute 12 and directly opposite the members 14a and 16, a stationary member 21 in the form of a guide plate which is also suitably attached to the lower inner end of the rail cover 30 and which cooperates with the members 14a and 16 in a manner hereinafter to be described.

As more clearly shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 of the drawings, a transversely extending slot 22 having a pair of opposed side encompassing walls 23 is arranged in the lower end of the upper or reciprocating anvil 5. Each of these side encompassing walls 23 has a vertically extending guide groove arranged therein which are disposed directly opposite one another for receiving the prongs of fastener element E in a manner hereinafter described. In the anvil 5, directly above the transverse slot 22 and extending thereinto, there is mounted a permanent magnet 25 for holding a fastener element E in the slot on the lower end of the anvil.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, the fastener chute 12 is arranged in a generally vertical position with the upper and lower portion thereof being inclined. The lower inclined portion of this chute consists of a guide feed rail 31 and rail cover which are spaced apart so as to provide a space 32 therebetween. A plurality of fastener elements E are normally retained in this space and straddle the rail 31 and are adapted to move therealong when the machine is in operation.

Intermediate the length of the lower inclined portion of chute 12, there is positioned a fastener feeding escapement mechanism. This escapement mechanism includes an upper stop pin 33 and a lower stop pin 34 for the purpose of controlling the movement of the fastener elements E down the chute whereby they move by the force of gravity, as explained in my previously mentioned copending application.

Description 0 actuating mechanism and plate fastener element feeding mechanism On the rear side of the vertical plate member 8, there is arranged the driving mechanism for actuating the various parts of the stapling machine which mechanism is more clearly shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings. The mechanism includes a horizontally extending lever member 40, pivotally attached to the plate 8, centrally thereof as at 41. One end 42 of this lever extends into the cylindrical housing 3a in under and in contact with a member 43 securely affixed to the piston rod 6 of the air cylinder 4.

A downwardly extending camming member 47 is securely attached to lever member substantially at its intermediate length and is adapted to cooperate with a cam roller 48 arranged on the feed-arm to actuate the same. The outer end of arm 14 is positioned between a pair of guide rollers 49 positioned between the guide plate member 14b and the rear side of the plate 8. The opposite end of arm 14 is free and is positioned between the guide plate member 14c and the rear side of the plate 8. There is also securely arranged between guide plate member 140 and plate 8, a cam plate member 50 having a lower cam edge portion 51. Mounted on the arm 14 adjacent the lower end thereof is a cam roller 52 which cooperates with this cam edge 51 to guide the lower tongue member 14a, attached to the arm 14, in its reciprocable movement so as to position the same correctly relative to the anvils 5 and 7.

There is provided a pair of springs 53 having one end thereof attached to the lever 40, as at 54, with the opposite ends attached to the plate 8, as at 55, for biasing the lever 40 about its pivotal connection at 41, so as to maintain the end 42 of the lever in contact with the member 43 on the piston rod 6. There is also provided as spring 56 having one end attached to the lower end of the camming member 47, as at 57, with the opposite end of this spring being attached to the arm 14, as at 58, so as to bias the edge of the camming member 47 against the cam roller 48 and to return the same and maintain the arm 14 in its retracted or normal position. There is provided still another spring 60 having one end attached to the plate 8, as at 61, and with the opposite end attached to the feed arm 14, as at 62, for biasing the cam roller 52 against the lower cam edge 51 of the cam guide plate 50.

The stationary anvil 7, as more clearly shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 12, 18, 19 and 20, is mounted on base 2 and includes a movable member resiliently mounted for vertical movement by means of a pair of springs, not shown. Member 90 has an elongated recess 70 therein which is of a width that is slightly less than the width of a plate element part P. Within the opening and at opposite ends thereof, a pair of opposed members 91 are pivotally mounted such that their free ends rest upon a stationary base plate 93 which in turn is supported on anvil 7. Member 90 is directly beneath upper anvil 5, such that when anvil 5 carrying a pronged element E descends, the prongs of element B will engage and be deflected by members 91. Member 90 is resiliently mounted to absorb the downward motion of upper anvil 5.

A guide block 94, having a reciprocally driven substantially rectangularly shaped slide feed member arranged in a slot at the rear thereof, is located to the rear of anvil 7 and on base 2. A longitudinally extending channel 96 is located on the upper side of block 94 with its forward end in communication with the elongated opening in reciprocally movable member 90 of anvil 7. Adjacent the rear end of guide block 94, there is mounted thereon a vertically extending magazine 97, in which the plate fastener element parts P are disposed and which communicates with channel 96 in guide block 94 for delivering fastener element parts P thereto by the force of gravity. The leading edge of slide feed member 95 projects above the surface of the lower wall of channel 96 a sufficient distance to engage the edge of the lowermost plate fastener element P and feed it into channel 96. Suecessive reciprocal movement of member 95 feeds successive elements P into channel 96 until the foremost element P is located above recess 70 of member 90.

As more clearly shown in FIG, 3, there is pivotally connected, as at 98, to the rear end of the slide member 95, a link member 99, having the opposite end pivotally connected, as at 100, to one end of a bell crank member 101 pivotally mounted on pin 102 within the yoke portion 3 and the opposite end is pivotally attached, as at 103, to one end of a link member 104. The opposite end of link member 104 is pivotally attached, as at 165, to one end of a movable member 106 which in turn is pivotally attached, as at 107, to yoke portion 3. The opposite side of this movable member 106 is disposed in under the member 43 on the piston rod 6 to be actuated thereby for delivering the plate fastener element part P through the linkage just described from the lower end of the magazine 97 to the anvil 7 by the movement of the slide member 95 for attachment. Arm of movable member 106 is connected as at 139 to a tension spring 136 so as to exert a biasing force on member 106 to urge it in a clockwise direction about pivot point 107 to maintain member 106 in contact with member 43.

Reenforcing strip feed and cutting mechanism There is positioned above the base 2 and the lower anvil 7, a relatively thin plate, table top member 110 having a rectangular shaped opening 112 therein which is positioned opposite the upper anvil 5, the lower anvil 7, and the end of the slide member 95.

A transversely extending rotatable shaft 116, having a feed roller 119 secured thereto at its outer end, is carried by bracket member 113, which is pivotally mounted as at 114 to base 2. A second transversely extending shaft 117, carried by bracket member 113 intermediate pivot point 114 and rotatable shaft 116, is engaged "by the movable button 115 of air cylinder 310. Feed roller 119 will deliver a continuous strip S of reenforcing material into the machine and in under the table top 110 and across the opening 112 therein. It is the purpose of movable button 115 of valve 310 to bias the roller 119 toward and against the underside of the table top 110 in response to the pneumatic pressure present in valve 310. It will be understood that a pair of cooperating feed rollers may be used in conjunction with roller 119, if desired.

As is more clearly shown in FIGS. 4 and 18-20 of the drawings, the inner end of shaft 116 is journaled, as at 123, to a vertically extending bracket member 122. On a stud shaft 125 mounted on this bracket member 122, there is arranged a rotatable ratchet gear 126 which meshes with a gear 127 securely fixed to the inner end of the shaft 116. On the end of this shaft 125, there is arranged a movable member 128 having a pawl member 129 arranged on the side thereof which cooperates with the ratchet-gear 126, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 of the drawings. There is mounted, as at 130, on the side of the bracket member 122, preferably a spring stop member 131 having its outer end cooperating with the gear 126. There is also carried by the bracket 122, an outwardly extending stop pin 132 which cooperates with the movable member 128 to maintain the same in a normal position.

- There is also mounted on movable member 128, an outwardly extending stud member 133 to which one end of a reciprocally movable piston rod 135 of a pressure cylinder 300 is pivotally attached by means of a movable stud bolt 145 arranged in a slOt 147 in member 128. Piston rod 135 of cylinder 300 is responsive to and controlled by air pressure from a pneumatic system as more fully disclosed hereinafter. Pressure cylinder 300 is attached to the upper end of bracket 122 by means of a stud bolt 136 arranged in the upper end thereof.

As more clearly shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 6 of the drawings, there is arranged below the table top 110 and to one side of the opening 112 therein and forwardly of the feed roller 119, a stationary knife member 150 having a cutting edge 151 in under which the reenforcing strip S passes from the feed roller 119. There is provided a movable cutting knife member 152 having a cutting edge 153 which cooperates with the cutting edge 151 of the knife 150 to cut the continuous strip S transversely thereof. This movable knife 152 is pivotally attached, as at 154, to the side of guide block 94. The outer end of this knife member 152 is pivotally attached, as at 155, to the lower end of a vertically extending rod member 156.

There is mounted on the back side of this plate member 8, preferably a guide bracket 157 having a slot 159 therein through which the rod 156 extends for guiding the same in its vertical movement to actuate the movable knife member 152 upon movement of the lever 40.

As more clearly shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, a locking knob 141 is located on the front of plate member 8 which knob is movable in a slot 143 from a first to a second position for selectively controlling the operation of the machine as either a single or a double attaching machine. In the first position, the machine attaches a single hook or eye substantially in the manner shown in the prior art. In the second position, the machine attaches automatically a pair of spaced apart hook or eyes. Knob 141, which is shown in the second position, is connected to a transversely extending push rod 142 which in turn is connected to a guide member 144 having a longitudinal slot 146 located therein. A plug member 148, slidable in slot 146, is attached to the upper portion of knife trip arm 149. Arm 149 is pivotally attached to guide plate member as at 161 and is biased in a clockwise direction thereabout by spring 163. A bracket 165 on knife trip arm 149 engages rod 156 for transverse movement therewith to one'of two positions as selected by the movement of knob 141 in slot 143 on the front of plate member 8, while permitting vertical movement of rod 156.

As more clearly shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 7 of the drawings, there is mounted on member 40, a hammer member which will strike and cooperate with the upper end of the rod member 156 to move the same downward upon movement of the member 40 whereby the movable knife 152 is actuated to cut the reenforcing strip S.

There is provided a tension coil spring 158 having one end attached to the outer end of the knife member 152 with the opposite end secured, as at 160, to the side of the yoke portion 3 of the stapling machine for maintaining and returning the movable knife 152 to its normal position.

Table advancing and presser foot mechanism As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 14, an air cylinder 200 is fastened to a vertical bracket 202 attached to the base 2 such that cylinder 200 is located beneath table 110 with the longitudinal axis of cylinder 200 located substantially parallel to the plane of base 2. A movable piston rod 204 extending from one end of air cylinder 200 towards anvil 7, is adapted for reciprocal movement relative thereto, and in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of table 110. Piston rod 204 is reciprocally movable in response to air pressure acting on a piston within cylinder 200. The remote end of rod 204 is fastened to a bracket 206 which in turn is fastened to an elongated slide bar 208 reciprocally movable along the axis of its length. An elongated groove 210 extending the length of slide bar 208 cooperates with an elongated shoulder 212 located on slide bar support 214, which is rigidly secured to base 2 such that slide bar 208 is supported and guided on slide bar support 214 in the course of its reciprocal movement. Thus, any reciprocal movement of rod 204 caused by air pressure in air cylinder 200, is transmitted to slide bar 208.

The transport mechanism for supporting and advancing the garment G relative to the attaching station will now be described. A pair of spaced-apart bracket members 218 and 220 are secured to the upper surface of slide bar 208 and project upwardly therefrom. An elongated rod 222 which extends substantially the length of table 110 is joumaled within and supported by members 218 and 220. The opposite remote end of rod 222 is slidably supported by a stationary support 226 fastened to base 2 by any convenient means such as screws. A helically coiled torsion spring 228, concentrically located along that length of rod 222 intermediate bracket members 218 and 220, is attached at one end to a collar 224 secured to rod 222 and at its other end to bracket member 218. Torsion spring 228 is thus secured to rod 222 in a manner such that spring 228 tends to bias rod 222 about its axis in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 14. A pair of presser feet 232 and 234, rigidly secured to rod 222 and projecting radially outwardly therefrom, are urged by the force of spring 228 into contact with movable tables 238 and 240, respectively. A collar 223 is secured to rod 222 for rotatable movement therewith adjacent to bracket member 220. Presser foot 232 has a knurled surface to positively engage garment G whereas presser foot 234 has a relatively smooth surface to slidably engage garment G. Movable table 238 is secured to slide bar 208 and is movable reciprocally therewith, whereas table 240 is supported by hearing block 260 slidably arranged on rod 222 for limited differential movement therewith as will be more fully described hereinbelow.

A bridge member 244 includes a pair of spaced-apart collars 243 and 245. Collars 243 and 245 each has an identical fiat shoulder 246 extending outwardly from one edge, such that a bar member 247 fastened to and extending between shoulders 246 interconnects collars 243 and 245. Collars 243 and 245 are each rigidly secured to rod 222 such that bridge member 244 will move axially and rotatably with rod 222.

Thus, it will be seen that when slide bar 208 is moved in either of its reciprocal directions in response to movement of piston rod 204, slide bar 208 will carry with it table 238 and bracket members 218 and 220, which, because of the location of collar 245 intermediate collar 224 and bracket member 220, will move rod 222 reciprocally along its axis. Table 240 which is operatively connected to rod 222 will also be moved. It should be noted that although tables 238 and 240 have been described as being supported in a cantilever fashion, the outer marginal edges of tables 238 and 240 are supported by a plurality of rotatable rollers 241, each of which is spaced along and journaled to a vertically extending frame member 242 attached to base 2.

The rotational movement of rod 222 which act against the biasing force of spring 228 to displace presser feet 232 and 234 from tables 238 and 240, respectively, will now be described. Hook-shaped pull rod 250, operatively connected to the piston of air cylinder 302 supported on table 2b, engages the upper surface of bar member 247 such that upon downward movement thereof bridge member 244 as well as rod 222 are rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 14, against the force of spring 228. Presser feet 232 and 234 are raised and disengaged from the surface of tables 238 and 240, respectively. Bridge member 244, which connects collars 243 and 245, is of some length such that hook 250 will always engage the upper surface of bar member 247 even though rod 222 and the accompanying collars 243 and 245 are displaced axially thereof.

The mechanism for differentially advancing the two movable tables 238 and 240 from a first position to a second position will now be described with particular reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. In advancing tables 238 and 240, it is desirable to alter the relative movement between the two tables such that the first table is moved a distance slightly greater than the distance moved by the second table, as each is advanced from its first position to a second position. The differential movement of tables 238 and 240 will tend to remove any wrinkles from a garment overlying both tables. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, table 240 is rigidly secured to a bearing block 260, slidably arranged on rod 222, and which comprises at least three leg members 261, 262 and 263, all of which are interconnected on one side by a common arm member 260'. Table 240 is secured to the bottom surface of arm member 260 by any suitable fastening means such as screws 266. An upwardly extending projection 263 is located on the upper surface of leg member 263. A collar member 267 is secured to rod 222 between adjacent leg members 262 and 263. Collar member 267 has a thickness less than the distance between leg members 262 and 263, which thickness is subtracted from the distance between adjacent leg members 262 and 263 to determine the extra differential distance table 238 will move relative to table 240. Presser foot 234 is secured to rod 222 by a spline arrangement such that presser foot 234 will move with hearing block 260 along the length of rod 222, and will also be interconnected to rod 222 in a manner which will permit presser foot 234 to be arcuately displaced from table 240 upon rotational movement of rod 222.

As shown in FIG. 15, tables 238 and 240 are in the first operating position wherein the first hook or eye of a pair of hooks or eyes is to be secured to the garment at the attaching station which is substantially directly beneath anvil 5, as shown in FIG. 1. The garment G to which the hook or eye is to be secured is placed on tables 238 and 240 in a manner such that presser feet 232 and 234 secure the garment to tables 238 and 240 respectively. Once the hook or eye is fastened to the garment, air cylinder 200 through its connection with slide bar 208 will move rod 222 to the left to place it in the second operating position. Table 238 is secured to slide bar 208 and moves directly therewith, as does rod 222. However, because of the friction between rod 222 and bearing block 260, of which the spline location of presser foot 224 contributes somewhat, block 260 will tend to move from the first position to the second position in the same relative relation to rod 220 as is shown in FIG. 15. But, in so moving, projection 264 on bearing block 260 engages the knife trip arm 149 which arm will retard the movement of the bearing block 260 with rod 222 in a manner such that hearing block 260 will be slidably shifted on rod 222 until collar 267 moves into contact with the surface of arm 262 of block 260. Hence presser foot 234 and table 240 which is connected by block 260 will be spaced from table 238 a greater distance in the second position than it was in the first position and the difference in distance is equal to the sliding movement of bearing block 260 on rod 222 which distance is calculated as the distance between the facing surface of arms 262 and 264 minus the thickness of collar 267. After a second hook or eye has been attached to the garment in the second position, a suitable pneumatic system further described hereinbelow will actuate air cylinder 200 such that the piston rod therein will be retracted and slide bar 208 as well as rod 222 will be moved to the right. Stop 268 will engage the end sur.- face of connecting arm member 260' of bearing block 260 to reposition the bearing block relative to collar 267 such that the apparatus is returned to its first position, as shown in FIG. 15, and is ready for another multiple hook or eye application.

In returning to the first position, arm 250 which is connected to the piston rod of an air cylinder is retracted within this air cylinder to rotate rod 222 in a manner such that the presser feet 232 and 234 are displaced from their engagement with the garment G and the garment can be removed by the operator prior to a second cycle of operation.

Pneumatic system The operation of this machine is primarily accomplished by a pneumatic system wherein a plurality of air cylinders and valves are operative at given periods of time in response to selected conditions. The location of the air cylinders and valves, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and their operative relation will best be described in conjunction with the description of operation given hereinbelow and taken with FIG. 17. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, as previously stated, air cylinder 200 has a piston 204 which moves in response to air pressure therein to operate the table advancing mechanism. Air pressure cylinder 300 operates the reenforcing tape advancing mechanism as has been previously described. Cylinder 302 is an air pressure cylinder which controls the movement of the hook-shape member 250 which in turn operates the presser foot mechanism. Valve 306 is a solenoid operated valve which controls air pressure to cylinders 300 and 302. Air cylinder 310 operates in conjunction with cylinder 300 to move presser roller 119 into engagement with the reenforcing tape for advancement thereof. Valve 308 is the regulator valve which controls the air pressure in the air system. A fourway valve 312 operatively controls the air pressure as it moves from the regulator valve 308 through the system, valve 312 being operated in response to a pair of solenoids (not shown) which moves the four-way valve 312 into one of several positions to open ports located therein to operatively connect other valves in the system. Selector valve 315 in conjunction with the selective movement of knob 141 operatively controls the pneumatic system of the machine for single or automatic double attachment of hooks or eyes. Air valves 316 and 318 are operatively connected together by a linkage system (not shown) such that air pressure in valve 316 Will open or close various ports in air valve 318 to control air pressure in air cylinder-200 to actuate piston 204.

Description of operation Having described the construction of the stapling machine and the reenforcing strip mechanism as well as the table advancing and presser foot mechanism, its function will now be described with particular reference to the attachment of a fastener element eye or eyes to a garment G. It will be understood that the initiation of each reciprocation of feed arm 14 for transferring the fastener elements E from chute 12 to the stapling anvil is timed to occur at about the same time that anvil 5 starts its initial movement. The air cylinder 4 for reciprocating the movable anvil 5 towards the stationary anvil 7 is controlled by air control valve 312, which is operative in response to the energization of microswitch 320. Microswitch 320 is actuated by a foot treadle or pushbutton, which can be positioned in any suitable location for convenient operation by the machine operator.

It will be further understood that when the piston moves to its retracted position after the air has been expelled from the air cylinder 4, the lever 40 is moved in a counterclockwise direction about its pivotal connection 41 due to the action of the springs 53 which have been previously loaded. It will also be seen that the springs 53 tend to move the lever 40 about its pivotal connection at 41 in a counter-clockwise direction at all times so that the end 42 of this lever is always maintained in contact with the lever 43. 4

The operation of the machine to attach a single eye to a garment G will now be described with particular reference to FIGS. 1-4 and 17. Regulator valve 308 is adjusted such that a predetermined air pressure is admitted to air conduits 400, 402 and 422 of the system. The fourway valve 312 initially admits air pressure to air conduit 410 and thence to the lower chamber of the main air cylinder 4 and the upper end 452 of air cylinder 316 to actuate cam and cam follower 350 to provide suitable porting of air valve 318. Air conduit 422 admits air pressure to one side of air valve 318; and is ported therethrough to air conduit 420, and thence to one end 424 of air cylinder 200 to extend piston rod 204. The pneumatic system is now initially charged with air pressure in the appropriate air conduit lines in a manner substantially the same as for each cycle of operation of the machine.

An electrical switch 317, shown in FIG. 1, mounted on the front side of plate 8 is moved to the on position and micro switch 320 which is operatively connected to a treadle or pushbutton for operation by the operator to actuate the machine, will open or close the circuit as desired. Switch 326, also mounted on the front surface of plate 8, is switched to the on position to close an electric circuit and energize a relay (not shown) which opens solenoid valve 306. When valve 306 is opened, air pressure is admitted to the upper chamber of air cylinder 302 such that arm 250 is moved downwardly to engage bar member 247, which will in turn rotate rod 222 to open or lift presser feet 232 and 234. For applying a single hook or eye, it is desirable to keep pressure feet 232 and 234 in the open position so they will not interfere with the positioning of the garment. Air pressure from valve 308 also will pass through solenoid valve 306 to air cylinder 300 and air cylinder 310 such that cylinder 310 applies pressure to move button upwardly thereof and pivot roller 119 into engagement with the leader end S of the coiled reenforcing tape.

With the admission of air pressure into cylinder 300, the piston rod thereof moves downwardly causing platelike member 128 on shaft to rotate clutch 126, which in turn rotates gear 127 together with shaft 116 to which the latter is secured. The feed roller 119 on shaft 116 rotates therewith so as to feed the continuous strip S into the machine and between the cutting knives and 152 and across the opening 112 on the underside of table top 110 and over the top of the lower anvil 7 and the plate element P positioned thereon in readiness for the next cycle of operation.

When micro-switch 320 is closed by the operator, air pressure from valve 308 is ported through four-way valve 312 by means of air conduit 404 to the upper chamber of cylinder 4 to move the anvil 5 downwardly to attach a single eye element E to the garment G. Anvil first attaches an eye element E to the garment G and in its downward movement engages a bleeder valve 330, operatively connected to four-way valve 312 to relieve the pressure in the pneumatic system as has been described thus far. The inertia of anvil 5 will continue to move it a relatively short distance to its bottommost position to securely attach an eye element E to the plate P. When bleeder valve 330 is tripped by anvil 5, the ports in valve 312 are changed such that air conduit 404, which is in communication with the upper chamber of cylinder 4, will now provide means for exhausting air pressure through bleeder valve 330 to relieve the air pressure therein. When the pressure in bleeder valve 330, tripped by anvil 5, reaches a predetermined minimum, the ports in valve 312 are again changed such that valves 312 admits air pressure to the pneumatic system, as described hereinabove, preparatory to a second cycle of operation.

If it is now desired to automatically attach a pair of spaced eye elements to a garment, the operator must first adjust a suitable screw mechanism 465 on air cylinder 200 which mechanism will limit the length of throw of piston rod 204 within air cylinder 200 to pre-set the distance between adjacent eye elements that are to be attached to the garment G. Switch 326 is moved to the off position after which knob 141 is moved to the closed or double position and valve 315 is opened.

A garment G is suitably placed under anvil 7 on tables 238 and 240 and in proper position for the first eye to be attached to the garment, after which the operator trips the treadle to actuate micro-switch 320. A solenoid is energized by micro-switch 320 to open the ports in the four-way main valve 312 such that air pressure flows to the upper chamber of cylinder 4 to move the anvil 5 downwardly. Air pressure also enters cylinder 316 as well as valve 318, conduit 420, and cylinder 200. Air pressure also enters the lowermost chamber of cylinder 302 to move arm 250 upwardly to thereby permit coiled spring 228 to rotate rod 222 and lower presser feet 232 and 234 to engage a previously positioned garment G and clamp the garment to tables 238 and 240, respectively.

Anvil 7 attaches an eye E to garment G, strip S and closes upon plate P. Simultaneous with the attachment of eye E, bleeder valve 330 relieves the pressure in: chamber 450 of cylinder 316, the upper chamber of cylinder 4 and changes the potting in valve 312. Air pressure now enters conduit 410 to admit air to the lowermost chamber of cylinder 4 and the upper end 452 of cylinder 316. A cam and cam follower mechanism 350 is actuated to change the porting of valve 318 such that air enters conduit 444 simultaneous with the releasing of air pres- 1 1 sure in conduit 420. Thus, air in cylinder 200 moves rod 222 to the left.

By means of pressure relief valves the air pressure in cylinders 300 and 310 is relieved and cylinder 300 moves in an upward direction whereas cylinder 310 moves in a downward direction to lower roller 119. The tape the leader end S, which is attached to the garment, will now be advanced in response to the forward movement of the garment. Once the eye is formed as a result of the downward movement of anvil 5, the bleeder valve 330 relieves the air pressure in the upper chamber of air cylinder 4 changes the porting of valve 312 such that air pressure enters the lower chamber of cylinder 4 to move anvil 7 upwardly.

Because table 240 is operatively coupled to table 238 by means of shaft 222, cylinder 200 will move both tables 238 and 240 as well as their respective presser feet, 232 and 234, to the left. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, hearing block 260 which is operatively connected to shaft 222 by a sliding fit also moves to the left, such that projection 264 contacts and moves knife arm 149 to actuate knife 150 to cut the tape S. Collar member 267, as well as collar members 223 and 245 on each side of bracket 220, then move a short distance further to the left until cylinder 200 comes to a rest position. The additional differential movement of table 238 and its presser foot 232 prior to the attachment of the second fastener element is for the purpose of removing the slack from between the garment G and the reenforcing tape S and to remove any wrinkles in the farment G. Presser foot 234, because of its smooth surface, will permit the garment G to slidably move relative to table 240 as table 238 is moved to the left. At substantially the end of the movement of table 238, a micro'switch is actuated to operate main valve 312 so as to connect the upper chamber of cylinder 4 to air pressure and thus move the anvil downwardly once again to attach another eye to the garment and tape. At the same time block 170 engages and moves knife arm 156 downwardly to cut off the tape. As the process of closing the fastener is completed cylinder 4 moves upwardly simultaneously as cylinder 316 closes valve 318. Air pressure then moves from valve 318 to the upper chamber of cylinder 200 to return the tables 238 and 240 and their respective presser feet 232 and 234 to their starting positions. In returning the table to its original position, a micro switch is actuated which, in turn, energizes solenoid valve 306 to admit air pressure to the upper chamber of cylinder 302 thus moving arm 250 downwardly to release presser feet 232 and 234. Cylinders 300 and 310 are again actuated to bring the leader ends of the tape into attaching position. This completes the automatic operation.

As a result of the present invention, it will be seen that there is provided a stapling machine in which the eye members are delivered to an attaching station at the same time that a strip of reenforcing material is delivered thereto so that the eye member and a strip of reenforcing material is simultaneously attached to the garment part. Once this operation is completed, the garment and reenforcing tape are advanced a given distance after which a second eye member is automatically attached to the garment and the strip of reenforcing material. At the completion of the second attachment, the reenforcing tape is cut and the garment is permitted to be removed from the table.

While the invention has been particularly described with reference to a stapling machine for attaching eye members to a garment such as a pair of trousers, the invention is equally applicable for use with a hook attaching machine which is very similar to the machine therein described.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to an embodiment thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention as 12 described hereinabove and as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the class described having means for feeding and delivering fastener elements and a continuous strip of reenforcing tape to an attaching station for simultaneous attachment to a garment part or other article by an attaching means:

transport means for advancing said garment a determinable distance from a first position relative to said attaching station wherein the first of said fastener elements is attached to said garment to a second position relative to said attaching station, wherein the second of said fastener elements is attached to said garment; and

means responsive to the movement of said transport means from said first position to said second position for severing the length of said reenforcing tape to which said first and second fastener elements are attached and for removing wrinkles in said garment prior to the attachment of said second fastener element.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said transport means includes a first table and a second table disposed on opposite sides of said attaching station "and interconnected to each other for conjoint movement relative to said attaching station to move said garment from said first position to said second position.

3. The combination as defined in claim 2 wherein said means responsive to the movement of said transport means from said first position to said second position includes means for producing a differential displacement of said second table relative to said first table to increase the distance separating said tables in said second position from the distance separating said tables in said first position whereby the garment supported between said first and second tables is drawn taut to remove the wrinkles therefrom.

4. The combination as defined in claim 2 wherein said transport means includes a first presser foot and a second presser foot operatively cooperable with said first and second tables, respectively, for retaining said garment on said tables when said transport means is in said first position and during its movement from said first position to said second position.

5. The combination as defined in claim 4 wherein said first presser foot includes means for frictionally engaging said garment and said second presser foot includes means for slidably engaging said garment such that when said transport means moves from said first position to said second position, said garment will be held immovable relative to said first table by said first presser foot and slidably held 'by said second presser foot to said second table whereby said garment is drawn taut between said first presser foot and said second presser foot to remove the wrinkles there-from.

6. In a machine of the class described having means for feeding and delivering fastener elements and a continuous strip of reenforcing tape to an attaching station for simultaneous attachment to a garment part or other article by an attaching means:

a first table and a second table disposed on opposite sides of said attaching station for supporting said garment relative to said attaching station;

a slide rod interconnecting said first and second tables and reciprocally movable along its longitudinal axis a determinable distance from a first position relative to said attaching station wherein the first of said fastener elements is attached to said garment, to a second posit-ion relative to said attaching station wherein the second of said fastener elements is attached to said garment,

means responsive to the reciprocal movement of said slide rod as it moves from said first position to said second position for severing the length of said re- 13 enforcing tape to which said first and second fastener elements are attached and for removing wrinleles in said garment prior to the attachment of said second fastener element. 7. The combination as defined in claim 6 wherein said slide rod is mounted for selective rotation about its longitudinal axis.

8. The combination as defined in claim 7 wherein said slide rod includes a first presser foot operatively cooperable with said first table and a second presser foot operatively cooperable with said second table, said first and second presser feet operatively coupled to said rod to move with said first and second tables, respectively, from said first position to said second position.

9. The combination as defined in claim 8 wherein said first and second presser feet are secured to said slide rod for reciprocal movement with said first and second tables, respectively, said first and second presser feet operatively connected to said slide rod to transmit rotational movement of said slide to said presser feet.

10. The combination as defined in claim 7 wherein said rod is acted upon by a force tending to bias it about its longitudinal axis and in a direction tending to urge each of said presser feet into engagement with their respeotive tables.

11. The combination as defined in claim 10 wherein a helical spring concentrically mounted relative to the longitudinal axis of said rod urges said rod in a direction to engage each of said presser feet with their respective tables.

12. The combination as defined in claim 10 wherein a pull rod operatively connected to a reciprocal actuator engages a bridge member secured to said rod for overpowering the biasing force of said spring member to move each of said presser feet out of engagement with their respective tables to permit said garment to be initially positioned thereon.

13. In a machine of the class described having means for feeding and delivering fastener elements and a continuous strip of reenforcing tape to an attaching station for simultaneous attachment to a garment part or other article by an attaching means:

transport means for advancing said garment a determinable distance from a first position relative to said attaching station wherein the first of said fastener elements is attached to said garment, to a second position relative to said attaching station, wherein the second of said fastener elements is attached to said garment; and a knife member located adjacent to the path of said reenforcing tape and adapted to sever said tape substantially transverse to its direction of motion,

means responsive to the movement of said transport means from said first position to said second position for actuating said knife to sever the length of said reenforcing tape to which said first and second fastener elements are attached and for removing wrinkles in said garment prior to the attachment of said second fastener element.

14. The combination as defined in claim 13 wherein said means responsive to the movement of said transport means includes a bearing block slidably mounted on a slide rod for movement parallel to said transport means as it moves from said first position to said second position.

15. The combination as defined in claim 14 wherein said bearing block includes a projection member which engages and actuates said knife member to sever said reenforcing tape.

16. The combination as defined in claim 14 wherein said bearing block includes a table secured there-to for supporting said garment as said transport means moves from said first position to said second position.

17. The combination as defined in claim 15 wherein said bearing block comprises at least two spaced leg members projecting outwardly from a common body member which interconnects the two said leg members, each of said leg members having an aperture centrally located therein, said slide rod passing through said apertures to slidably mount said bearing block thereon, and means for limiting the longitudinal movement of said bearing block thereon.

18. The combination as defined in claim 17 wherein said means for limiting the longitudinal movement of said bearing block on said slide rod includes a collar member secured to said slide rod intermediate said leg members and having a width less than the distance separating said leg members.

19. In a machine of the class described having means for feeding and delivering fastener elements and a continuous strip of reenforcing tape to an attaching station for simultaneous attachment to a garment part or other article by an attaching means:

a slide rod reciprocally movable along its longitudinal axis a determinable distance from a first position relative to said attaching station wherein the first of said fastener elements is attached to said garment, to a second position relative to said attaching station wherein the second of said fastener elements is attached to said garment;

a first table disposed on one side of said attaching station and secured to said slide rod for longitudinal movement therewith for supporting said garment relative to said attaching station;

a bearing block having at least two spaced and centraily apertured leg members projecting outwardly from a common body member which interconnects said leg members, said slide rod passing through the apertures in each of said leg members to slidably mount said bearing block thereon;

a second table secured to said bearing block for movement therewith and disposed on the opposite side of said attaching station for supporting a portion of said garment relative to said attaching station;

a collar member secured to said slide rod intermediate said leg members and having a width less than the distance separating said leg members;

a projection on one of said leg members;

a knife member located adjacent to the path of said reenforcing tape and adapted to sever said tape;

said projection on said bearing block engaging said knife member to both trip said knife member and displace said bearing member on said slide rod until said collar engages the adjacent leg member of said bearing block whereby said second table secured to said bearing block is displaced relative to said first table to increase the distance separating said first table from said second table.

No references cited.

GRANVILLE Y. CUSTER, IR., Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A MACHINE OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED HAVING MEANS FOR FEEDING AND DELIVERING FASTENER ELEMENTS AND A CONTINUOUS STRIP OF REENFORCING TAPE TO AN ATTACHING STATION FOR SIMULTANEOUS ATTACHMENT TO A GARMENT PART OR OTHER ARTICLE BY AN ATTACHING MEANS: TRANSPORT MEANS FOR ADVANCING SAID GARMENT A DETERMINABLE DISTANCE FROM A FIRST POSITION RELATIVE TO SAID ATTACHING STATION WHEREIN THE FIRST OF SAID FASTENER ELEMENTS IS ATTACHED TO SAID GARMENT TO A SECOND POSITION RELATIVE TO SAID ATTACHING STATION, WHEREIN THE SECOND OF SAID FASTENER ELEMENTS IS ATTACHED TO SAID GARMENT; AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE MOVEMENT OF SAID TRANSPORT MEANS FROM SAID FIRST POSITION TO SAID SECOND POSITION 